Focal Prevalence Survey of Schistosomiasis in South Cotabato, Philippines

Worm infection is one of the health problems in all tropical countries, including Indonesia. The most frequent helminthiasis is the infection caused by the Soil-Transmitted Helminth. Primary school-age children are an age group that is susceptible to helminthiasis. Worm infections can cause a serious impact if left untreated with no clean and healthy lifestyle. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of STH in children of Manusak Village, East Kupang Subdistrict, Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, followed by the characterization of subjects. The analytic observational design with the cross-sectional study was applied to this research. Research subjects were 130 children aged 6-12 years old. The infection was diagnosed microscopically by the Katokatz method. Ascaris lumbricoides were the only species found infecting a total of 50 children (38.4%.). The distribution of ascariasis was higher in girls (30 or 23.08%) than in boys (20 or 15.38%), in children whose parents have no formal education (41 or 31.54%), and who their professions are a farmer. Poor hygiene and sanitation such as no washing hands with soap (27 or 20.77%) as well as the habit of not wearing footwear (47 or 36.2%) and bowel habit on the open areas (35 or 26.92%) are the risks factors causing the high incidence of A. lumbricoides in the studied area. Enlightenment to the parents regarding good personal and environmental hygiene and sanitation along with chemotherapy from the government and related agencies is needed to achieve a durable reduction of the burden of ascariasis and other STH infection. Keywords : Soil Transmitted Helminth, Ascaris lumbricoides, children, Kupang DistrictCorrespondence : heny-a@fk.unair.ac.id

Malaria severity status in patients with soil-transmitted helminth infections

Soil-transmitted helminthes prevalence, intensity, and associated factors among school-aged children in the communities of west Guji Zone, South Ethiopia

BackgroundChronic soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have been associated with reduced physical fitness, but available evidence is limited. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the feasibility of measuring children's physical fitness and to relate it to STH infections. Our study was carried out among school-aged children of the Bulang ethnic group in rural southwest People's Republic of China (P.R. China). Standardized, quality-controlled methods were employed to determine STH infections (Kato-Katz technique), haemoglobin levels, anthropometry (body weight and height) and physical fitness (20-m shuttle run test).ResultsA compliance of 87% suggested good acceptance of the methods used. Among 69 children with complete data records, infection prevalence of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were 81%, 44% and 6%, respectively. The maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilized within 1 min during exhaustive exercise (VO2 max estimate) of T. trichiura-infected children was 1.94 ml kg-1 min-1 lower than that of their non-infected counterparts (P = 0.005). Until exhaustion, T. trichiura-infected children had completed 6.14 20-m laps less (P = 0.004). Additionally, the mean VO2 max estimate of stunted children was lowered by 1.63 ml kg-1 min-1 (P = 0.002) and they completed 5.32 20-m laps less (P = 0.001) compared to children of normal stature. No significant association between stunting and infection with any STH species could be established.ConclusionsImplementation of physical fitness tests in rural, resource-constraint settings is feasible. The physical fitness of children who are stunted or infected with STHs, particularly T. trichiura, is significantly impaired. We have launched a larger study and will determine the dynamics of school-aged children's physical fitness over a 7-month period after administration of anthelminthic drugs.

Background In Ethiopia, 25.3 and 12.3 million school-age children are living in soil-transmitted helminth and schistosomiasis endemic areas, respectively. The school children are at risk for both soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni due to juvenile activities like walking barefoot, playing with dirty objects that might be contaminated with feces, and fetching of unclean water for drinking. There are no data that indicate the status of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni among children at Hiruy Abaregawi primary school. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth and Schistosoma mansoni infection among Hiruy Abaregawi primary school children. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2019, at Hiruy Abaregawi primary school, Rural Debre Tabor, North West Ethiopia. A total of 340 students were included in the study. Informed written consent was obtained from the children's parent. Systematic sampling technique was used to select the children. About 2 grams of stool samples was collected and transported to Debre Tabor University Microbiology and Parasitology Teaching Laboratory to conduct the Kato-Katz technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Variables with a p value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni was 51/340 (15%). Among the identified parasites, Ascaris lumbricoides accounts for 28 (8.2%), hookworm 13 (3.8%), Trichuris trichiura 4 (1.2%), and Schistosoma mansoni 6 (1.8%). In this study, 24 (7%) of Ascaris lumbricoides-, 11 (3.2%) of hookworm-, 4 (1.2%) of Trichuris trichiura-, and 5 (1.5%) of Schistosoma mansoni-infected children showed light infections and no heavy infection in both soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni was observed. Finger nail trimming status, hand washing before eating, availability of toilet at home, educational level of students, and sex of students were factors associated with soil-transmitted helminth infection. Conclusion and Recommendations. In this study, the low prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni was observed. The combination of regular mass deworming program and health information on risk factors should be strengthened for the prevention and control of soil-transmitted helminth infection.

The Orang Asli (OA), Malaysia’s indigenous minority, continue to experience ongoing soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections despite efforts including the Resettlement Programme (RPS). This study explores STH epidemiology and associated risks of moderate-to-heavy infections among 259 indigenous Negritos across four states in Peninsular Malaysia. Stool samples, anthropometrics, haemoglobin levels (finger-prick) and sociodemographic and environmental-sanitation factors via pretested questionnaires were collected. Parasitological examinations (direct faecal smear, formol-ether concentration, and Kato-Katz techniques) were thoroughly performed. The study revealed a 63.3% overall STH prevalence, with Trichuris trichiura (57.9%) being the most common, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (35.5%) and hookworm (8.9%). Moderate-to-heavy infections were observed in 39.3% for T. trichiura and 48.9% for A. lumbricoides, with mixed infections of these two species being the most prevalent (50.6%). The risk for moderate-to-heavy infection increased significantly if other household members were infected (P < 0.001). Adults and adolescents also showed high infection rates, with no significant differences with children’s groups. These findings emphasize the need for anthelmintic treatment across all age groups and strategize local policies targeting older groups of the OA community to control ongoing transmission and reduce the STH burden and protect the future well-being of OA children, who deserve a healthier future.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and zinc deficiency are often found in low- and middle-income countries and are both known to affect child growth. However, studies combining data on zinc and STH are lacking. In two studies in schoolchildren in Cuba and Cambodia, we collected data on height, STH infection and zinc concentration in either plasma (Cambodia) or hair (Cuba). We analyzed whether STH and/or zinc were associated with height for age z-scores and whether STH and zinc were associated. In Cuba, STH prevalence was 8.4%; these were mainly Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections. In Cambodia, STH prevalence was 16.8%, mostly caused by hookworm. In Cuban children, STH infection had a strong association with height for age (aB-0.438, p = 0.001), while hair zinc was significantly associated with height for age only in STH uninfected children. In Cambodian children, plasma zinc was associated with height for age (aB-0.033, p = 0.029), but STH infection was not. Only in Cambodia, STH infection showed an association with zinc concentration (aB-0.233, p = 0.051). Factors influencing child growth differ between populations and may depend on prevalences of STH species and zinc deficiency. Further research is needed to elucidate these relationships and their underlying mechanisms.

&lt;p&gt;Objectives: To determine the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors associated with soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections and to explore the association between STH infections and nutritional status of an estate community.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanthana Tea Estate (HTE) in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from September 2013 to November 2014. Demographic data were obtained using an interviewer-administrated structured questionnaire. Haemoglobin and serum albumin concentrations were measured in children. Faecal samples were analyzed by direct smears in saline and iodine and Kato-Katz technique using single-stool samples. Anthropometric measurements were obtained to calculate weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and body-mass-index-for-age (BAZ) to evaluate underweight, stunting and wasting, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Results: A total of 233 children (50% female, aged between 1 and 12 years, mean age 6.2±3.4) and 98 parents (93% female, aged between 20 and 52 years, mean age 33±6.2 years) participated in this study. The prevalence of STH infections in children and adults were 27.4% and 14.3% respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was found in children and adult populations predominantly (26.6% and 14.3% respectively) followed by Trichuris trichiura (0.8% and 1%).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Of the infected group, 57.8% of children and 92.8% of adults had a light infection. Moderate infection was found in 40.6% of the children, and 7.2% of the adults. Only one child had a heavy egg count (≥ 50000). The prevalence of STH infections was significantly higher among children than adults (p = 0.014). Not hand washing before a meal (p = 0.002) and after defecation (p &amp;lt; 0.001), greater de-worming period (p &amp;lt; 0.001), use of shared latrine facilities (p = 0.023) and lower levels of mother`s education (p= 0.035) were significantly associated with STH infections. Children with and without STH infection had comparable levels of nutritional indicators. However, 17.6% (n=41) of stunted, 19.3% (n=45) of wasted and 39.5% (n=92) of underweight children were identified in the present study. In addition, 20.2% (n=47) of the children had a low serum albumin level and 15.9% (n=27) had anaemia.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Conclusions: Prevalence of STH infections was notably high in both children (27.4%) and their parents (14.3%), indicating a high level of morbidity among the study population. Therefore, a coordinated control and prevention programme considering the diverse socio-demographic characteristics of estate communities is needed to eliminate STH infections in the study population.&lt;/p&gt;

BackgroundEfforts to control soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have intensified over the past decade. Field-survey data on STH prevalence, infection intensity and drug efficacy is necessary to guide the implementation of control programs and should be of the best possible quality.MethodologyDuring four clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of albendazole against STHs in Brazil, Ethiopia, Lao PDR and Tanzania, quality control (QC) was performed on the duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and the data entry. We analyzed datasets following QC on both fecal egg counts (FECs) and data entry, and compared the prevalence of any STH infection and moderate-to-heavy intensity (MHI) infections and the drug efficacy against STH infections.ResultsAcross the four study sites, a total of 450 out of 4,830 (9.3%) Kato-Katz thick smears were re-examined. Discrepancies in FECs varied from ~3% (hookworms) to ~6.5% (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). The difference in STH prevalence and prevalence of MHI infections using the datasets with and without QC of the FECs did not exceed 0.3%, except for hookworm infections in Tanzania, where we noted a 2.2 percentage point increase in MHI infections (pre-QC: 1.6% vs. post-QC: 3.8%). There was a 100% agreement in the classification of drug efficacy of albendazole against STH between the two datasets.In total, 201 of the 28,980 (0.65%) data entries that were made to digitize the FECs were different between both data-entry clerks. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of STH, the prevalence of MHI infections and the classification of drug efficacy remained largely unaffected.Conclusion/significanceIn these trials, where staff was informed that QC would take place, minimal changes in study outcomes were reported following QC on FECs or data entry. Nevertheless, imposing QC did reduce the number of errors. Therefore, application of QC together with proper training of the personnel and the availability of clear standard operating procedures is expected to support higher data quality.

Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections affect over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Although prevalent in all age groups, school aged children are a high-risk groups for STH infections. In Bhutan, epidemiological data on STH were collected from western Bhutan in 2003, which found a prevalence of 16.5%. However, little evidence is available on the prevalence of infection at national level. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim to assess the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, and identify significant correlates of STH among students. A school-based survey was conducted in three regions of Bhutan. Two-stage cluster sampling was adopted to select a sample of 1500 students from 24 schools, in equal proportion from three regions of the country. A total of 1456 (97%) students were interviewed and their stool sample examined for the presence of parasites. Mini-FLOTAC technique was used to detect the parasite eggs/ova. The prevalence of any STH infection was 1.4%, with 0.8% Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.5% Trichuris trichiura and 0.2% hookworms. The eastern region had the highest prevalence at 2.3%. Except for one student who had moderate intensity of A. lumbricoides, the rest had light infection. Any STH presence was significantly associated with father’s occupation, father’s education level, type of house and the flooring of the house in which students reported to live. No significant associations were observed between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) variables measured and presence of any STH infection. The prevalence of STH was found to be very low with primarily light intensity in this study. Nonetheless, it was also found that the sanitation situation is not ideal in the country, with several students reporting constant or partial open defecation leading to environmental contamination. Based on this prevalence and in line with the WHO guideline, it is recommended that deworming be reduced to once a year in combination with concerted health education on proper hygiene and sanitation practice.

Background/AimSchool-aged children in low- and middle-income countries carry the highest burden of intestinal helminth infections, such as soil-transmitted helminths (STH). STH infections have been associated with negative consequences for child physical and cognitive development and wellbeing. With the epidemiological transition and rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD), studies have shown that helminth infections may influence glucose metabolism by preventing obesity. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the association of STH infections in schoolchildren from Gqeberha, focusing on physical activity, physical fitness, and clustered CVD risk score.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 680 schoolchildren (356 girls and 324 boys; mean age 8.19 years, SD±1.4) from disadvantaged communities in Gqeberha (formerly, Port Elizabeth), South Africa. Stool samples were collected and examined for STH infections using the Kato-Katz method. Physical activity (accelerometer) and physical fitness (grip strength, 20 m shuttle run) were measured using standard procedures. Furthermore, anthropometry, blood pressure, as well as glycated haemoglobin and lipid profile from capillary blood samples were assessed. We employed one-way ANOVAs to identify the associations of STH infections in terms of species and infection intensity with physical activity, physical fitness, and clustered CVD risk score.ResultsWe found a low STH infection prevalence (7.2%) in our study, with participants infected with at least one intestinal helminth species. In comparison to their non-infected peers, children infected with STH had lower mean grip strength scores, but higher mean VO2max estimation and higher levels of MVPA (p < .001). When considering type and intensity of infection, a positive association of A. lumbricoides infection and MVPA was found. In contrast, light T. trichiura-infected children had significantly lower grip strength scores compared to non and heavily-infected children. VO2max and MVPA were positively associated with light T. trichiura infection. No significant association between the clustered CVD risk score and infection with any STH species was evident.ConclusionsSTH-infected children had lower grip strength scores than their non-infected peers, yet, achieved higher VO2max and MVPA scores. Our study highlights that the type and intensity of STH infection is relevant in understanding the disease burden of STH infections on children’s health. The findings of our study must be interpreted cautiously due to the low infection rate, and more research is needed in samples with higher prevalence rates or case-control designs.

School-aged children in low- and middle-income countries carry the highest burden of intestinal helminth infections, such as soil-transmitted helminths (STH). STH infections have been associated with negative consequences for child physical and cognitive development and wellbeing. With the epidemiological transition and rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD), studies have shown that helminth infections may influence glucose metabolism by preventing obesity. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the association of STH infections in schoolchildren from Gqeberha, focusing on physical activity, physical fitness, and clustered CVD risk score. This cross-sectional study involved 680 schoolchildren (356 girls and 324 boys; mean age 8.19 years, SD±1.4) from disadvantaged communities in Gqeberha (formerly, Port Elizabeth), South Africa. Stool samples were collected and examined for STH infections using the Kato-Katz method. Physical activity (accelerometer) and physical fitness (grip strength, 20 m shuttle run) were measured using standard procedures. Furthermore, anthropometry, blood pressure, as well as glycated haemoglobin and lipid profile from capillary blood samples were assessed. We employed one-way ANOVAs to identify the associations of STH infections in terms of species and infection intensity with physical activity, physical fitness, and clustered CVD risk score. We found a low STH infection prevalence (7.2%) in our study, with participants infected with at least one intestinal helminth species. In comparison to their non-infected peers, children infected with STH had lower mean grip strength scores, but higher mean VO2max estimation and higher levels of MVPA (p < .001). When considering type and intensity of infection, a positive association of A. lumbricoides infection and MVPA was found. In contrast, light T. trichiura-infected children had significantly lower grip strength scores compared to non and heavily-infected children. VO2max and MVPA were positively associated with light T. trichiura infection. No significant association between the clustered CVD risk score and infection with any STH species was evident. STH-infected children had lower grip strength scores than their non-infected peers, yet, achieved higher VO2max and MVPA scores. Our study highlights that the type and intensity of STH infection is relevant in understanding the disease burden of STH infections on children's health. The findings of our study must be interpreted cautiously due to the low infection rate, and more research is needed in samples with higher prevalence rates or case-control designs.

Background: The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) comprise of a group of infections, that primarily occur in impoverished communities and may impair the course and outcome of pregnancy, childhood growth, intellectual development, education and worker productivity. Long-term chronic infection may result in disfigurement and stigmatization. Hence, the NTDs may exacerbate poverty, but because there are only limited commercial opportunities, the fight against these conditions has been widely neglected. Amongst others, helminth infections such as schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and food-borne trematodiasis belong to the NTDs. For better quantifying and prioritizing the health burden caused by diseases, injuries and risk factors, the World Health Organization and the World Bank developed the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) metrics. The increasing popularity of DALYs and burden of disease estimates sparked also renewed interest in the underlying epidemiological parameters. For conditions like the NTDs, which mainly cause morbidity rather than mortality, the assessment of the average disability incurred by a diseased individual is crucial for correctly compiling global burden estimates. Interestingly, anamnestic questionnaires to assess morbidity due to helminth infections had been used before in attempts to better gauge helminth control efforts. Objectives: The overarching goal of this PhD thesis was to develop, validate, and apply tools for assessing the morbidity and burden caused by NTDs at different geographical scales. Specific objectives were: (i) to participate in the global burden of diseases, injuries and risk factors study 2010 (GBD 2010) and assess – for the first time – the global burden of food-borne trematodiasis; (ii) to generate new evidence on the disability incurred by individuals infected with schistosomes and/or soil-transmitted helminths in field-based epidemiological investigations in rural Cote d’Ivoire and compare the results with the most recent disability weights of the global burden of disease study; and (iii) to explore the potential of simple and low-cost anamnestic questionnaire tools for the assessment of morbidity due to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the recently established Taabo health demographic surveillance site (Taabo HDSS) in Cote d’Ivoire in order to identify high-risk groups and guide control measures. Methods: To tackle the first objective, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and the global burden of food-borne trematodiasis assessed according to the GBD 2010 guidelines. Regarding the second objective, two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 2010, one with 156 schoolchildren in south Cote d’Ivoire and one with 187 adults in the Taabo HDSS, south-central Cote d’Ivoire. Participants were parasitologically tested for helminth and Plasmodium infections, clinically examined, interviewed with quality of life questionnaires and the schoolchildren also invited to participate in a maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test. The different test results were then juxtaposed to each other. For the third objective, 187 adults participating in the second annual parasitological survey of the Taabo HDSS in 2010, and 146 children and 439 adults participating in the third annual parasitological survey in 2011 were interviewed with anamnestic questionnaires containing questions about risk factors, signs and symptoms. The questionnaire results were compared with the participants’ parasitological results to evaluate the diagnostic properties of single responses and response combinations. Results: The estimates on the global burden of human food-borne trematodiasis indicate that 56.2 million people were infected with food-borne trematodes worldwide in 2005, 7.9 million suffered from severe sequelae and 7,158 died due to cholangiocarcinoma and cerebral infection. These figures result in a global burden of 665,352 DALYs. Regarding the disability measurements, no effect of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis on schoolchildren’s physical fitness could be identified, irrespective of whether objectively measured shuttle run test results or questionnaire results on self-reported physical fitness were considered. However, statistically significant correlations between the children’s shuttle run test and questionnaire results were found. In contrast, infected adults reported a significantly lower quality of life than non-infected adults. The results of the anamnestic questionnaire in the 2010 study revealed no promising diagnostic properties. Analyses of the 2011 data are still underway. Conclusions: Despite disclosing many unsolved issues, food-borne trematodiasis was identified as an important cluster of NTDs and in most endemic areas, control efforts are urgently needed. The results on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis associated disability are ambiguous, but the significant correlation between objectively measured and self-reported physical fitness of schoolchildren encourages further application of quality of life questionnaires. The reduction in adults’ quality of life indicates a stronger negative effect of these helminthiases than currently assumed in most burden compilations. The findings regarding the anamnestic questionnaires should be interpreted as preliminary results and even though the results were not promising, the potential benefits of refined anamnestic questionnaire tools warrant further efforts. The need for further innovation, validation and application of systematic, truly interdisciplinary, field-based, epidemiological methods to gather additional evidence was emphasized and potential perspectives outlined throughout the thesis.

Helminth infections caused by schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most prevalent afflictions of humans who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. The level of morbidity and mortality caused by these helminthes requires urgent intervention. This study reports on the epidemiological mapping and intervention strategies for the control of schistosomiasis and STH in Nigeria. Epidemiological survey on the prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH was conducted in Nigeria between November 2013 and May 2015 in 19 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), covering 2,160 schools /communities in 433 LGAs. Urine and faecal samples were collected from 108,472 pupils comprising 57,670 (53.2%) males and 50,802 (46.8%) females of age range 5 to 16 years. The samples were analysed using urine filtration and KatoKatz techniques. The target population for intervention was determined using the World Health Organization Guidelines for intervention strategies. Prevalence of 9.5% and 27% were recorded for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis respectively from the pupils sampled. Highest prevalence of 26.1% was recorded in Niger State for schistosomiasis while the lowest was in Rivers State (0.1%). STH had highest prevalence in Akwa Ibom State (58.4%) and lowest in Yobe State (1.4%). Niger State also had the highest prevalence for co-infection (8.96%). Based on the prevalence of schistosomiasis observed, a total of 202 LGAs fall within the low risk category, 153 moderate and four LGAs were high risk category. The high risk LGAs were located in Niger and Kebbi States. Case-based management is required for STH in 191 LGAs while 177 LGAs fall within the low-risk and 60 LGAs were in the high risk categories. The findings of this study highlighted the treatment interventions required to facilitate scale up of appropriate mass administration of medicine, water, sanitation and hygiene intervention in the 19 States of the Federation and the FCT. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; soil-transmitted helminthiasis; prevalence; intervention strategy; risk; control; treatment.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a significant public health problem, especially in tropical and subtropical countries with limited sanitation. Transmission occurs through soil contaminated with the feces of infected individuals, which contain helminth eggs such as Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), as well as hookworm larvae. This study aims to analyze the relationship between STH infection and hematological status (reticulocyte count and hemoglobin level) and Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) in vulnerable elementary school students. Using a cross-sectional design, the study involved 44 students at SDN Sobontoro 2. The results showed that 23% of students (10 children) tested positive for STH infection. Statistical analysis using the Spearman test found no significant correlation between STH infection and reticulocyte count (p=0.072) or hemoglobin level (p=0.124). However, a very significant relationship was found between STH infection and PHBS (p=0.000). These findings underline that poor PHBS practices are a major risk factor that directly contributes to high rates of STH infections. ABSTRAKInfeksi cacing usus yang ditularkan melalui tanah, atau Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH), merupakan masalah kesehatan masyarakat yang signifikan, terutama di negara-negara tropis dan subtropis dengan sanitasi terbatas. Penularannya terjadi melalui tanah yang terkontaminasi tinja penderita, yang mengandung telur cacing seperti Ascaris lumbricoides (cacing gelang) dan Trichuris trichiura (cacing cambuk), serta larva cacing tambang (hookworm). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara infeksi STH dengan status hematologis (angka retikulosit dan kadar hemoglobin) serta Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) pada siswa sekolah dasar yang rentan. Menggunakan desain cross-sectional, penelitian melibatkan 44 siswa di SDN Sobontoro 2. Hasil menunjukkan 23% siswa (10 anak) positif terinfeksi STH. Analisis statistik menggunakan uji Spearman tidak menemukan korelasi signifikan antara infeksi STH dengan angka retikulosit (p=0,072) maupun kadar hemoglobin (p=0,124). Namun, ditemukan hubungan yang sangat signifikan antara infeksi STH dan PHBS (p=0,000). Temuan ini menggarisbawahi bahwa praktik PHBS yang buruk adalah faktor risiko utama yang berkontribusi langsung terhadap tingginya angka infeksi STH.